Read More

Addison eventually came to the door and told them: "I was thinking of calling you. She's on the floor and cannot get up."

Murdered Avis Addison was known as Mary (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)

There were clear signs of his growing inability to cope. The fridge had almost no food in it but was packed with more than a dozen two-pint bottles of semi skimmed milk. A large pile of newspapers had built up in another room.

Addison was interviewed by police the next day and denied killing him but it was clear from his replies that he was confused about timings and details.

He was diagnosed with advanced Alzheimers after his arrest in February this year and was too ill to enter a plea or attend his murder trial at Exeter Crown Court .

A jury found that he had killed Mary and the judge, Justice Dingemans, made an indefinite hospital order under the 1964 Criminal Procedure and Insanity Act.

Read More

A doctor and social worker had visited the couple twice in the week Mary died after their son and a neighbour raised concerns that Addison had become incapable of looking after her.

Douglas and Avis Addison (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)

On the first occasion the doctor was able to examine her without him being present but on the second occasion was turned away.

Another doctor discovered the body after calling again the next day and looking through a bedroom window to see Mary Addison collapsed on the floor.

She had injuries to her head and body, including a dislocated arm, and a post mortem showed she died of asphyxiation.

Addison was interviewed the next day at Newquay police station in the presence of his solicitor and an appropriate adult. When asked about his movements on the day of the killing he replied, "that's a daft question".

He said the only injuries he could have caused were bruises on her arms from picking her up after falls. The rest were the result of falls in the house or in the garden.

He said: "She had been a bit off colour for a few days but I never dreamt it would come to this. I would like to know what evidence you think there is that she was murdered.

"She fell over quite frequently. I did not cause her injuries. Nothing happened. All I can tell you is that she had several tumbles. I certainly did not hurt her. I felt too much for her to do that.

"I did not keep a record of her falls and she did not need medical attention. None of them were serious. She would bruise very, very easily. I'm rather surprised by the marks on her."

He said on the morning of her death he had got up normally around 7.45am, made them tea, and then found her sitting on the floor between the bed and the window, which he said she often did.

The scene at the Addison home in February

He said: "She was sitting there for a couple of hours. It was shortly afterwards she passed on. There was no indication at all there was anything wrong. It was like any other day."

The judge said:"The jury have returned a verdict did the acts charged against him as part of the offence of murder, namely killing Mrs Addison by suffocating her. The evidence was all one way.

"May I thank the family for their attendance through this very sad set of proceedings."

Read More

After the case, Detective Chief Inspector Jo Hall said:“This is very sad set of circumstances and my thoughts remain with the family of Mr and Mrs Addison.”

Detective Chief Inspector Jo Hall said: "DCI Jo Hall said: “Mrs Addison was found deceased by medical professionals who had visited the property following concerns being raised in relation to the couple. Mrs Addison had sustained numerous injuries and Mr Addison was arrested at the home address.

“Mr Addison has not been fit to stand trial due to medical issues. Yesterday, Douglas Addison was found guilty of doing the act that killed Mrs Addison by suffocating her. The sentence passed is by way of a Hospital Order.

“This is very sad set of circumstances and my thoughts remain with the family of Mr and Mrs Addison.”